Garvin County Health Department officials confirmed Thursday the grandmother of a 12-year old Paoli girl who died from meningitis last week is the second victim of the disease in as many weeks.
Darlene Campbell, 75, of Paoli died April 7, just three days after her grand-daughter, Alyssa Nichole Campbell, succumbed to meningitis.
At first county health officials were told the elderly Campbell’s death was not due to meningitis.
“When we interviewed family members of the youth to identify and recommend antibiotics to protect those who had close, personal contact with the youth, this particular individual was not identified as someone who had close contact with her,” said Joleyne Temple, District Nurse Manager of the Garvin County Health Department.
Temple told the Daily Democrat Thursday that two independent hospitals had tested Darlene Campbell for meningitis and the tests had come back negative.
“Based on those tests and the fact she was not identified as a family member who had close contact with her grand-daughter, we had no reason to believe her death was due to meningitis,” Temple said.
However, the state department of health requested further tests by the Centers for Disease Control.
“When the CDC tests came back, they confirmed that Mrs. Campbell’s death was in fact due to meningitis,” Temple said.
Campbell is the third person in the state to die from meningococcal disease this year and the seventh reported case of the disease.
“Our sympathies go out to this family who are dealing with these unexpected deaths,” Temple said.
Despite the fact two people from the small Garvin County town have died from the disease, Temple stressed there is still no public health risk.
“The Garvin County Health Department has concluded its active investigation of contacts and we believe any individuals at risk have already received antibiotics as a preventive measure,” she said.
“Casual contacts, such as students in a school classroom, or co-workers at a workplace, or church are not at increased risk of getting the disease and therefore do not need treatment with antibiotics. Persons who were never in contact with the persons that were diagnosed with meningococcal disease are not at risk.”
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Many healthy people carry meningococcal bacteria in their nose and throat without any symptoms.
Usually, the bacteria stay in the nose and throat for a few days and will then disappear. The bacteria are spread from person-to-person by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat.
It is not clearly understood why the organism disappears in some people and produces illness in others.
For more information on meningococcal disease, contact the Garvin County Health Department at (405) 238-7346, or the Epidemiologist-on-call at the Oklahoma State Department of Health Acute Disease Service at (405) 271-4060.
Local News
Paoli woman dies from meningitis
- Local News
-
-
It’s now official for county trust
A Garvin County trio made it official Monday by creating a brand new public trust authority designed to help area school districts after bond issues are OK’d by voters.
-
DNA findings put trial on hold
A jury trial will have to wait for one of five suspects accused of committing home invasions in two Garvin County cities back in the fall of 2010.
-
Retirement is full circle for Paoli principal
Throughout the history of any town, whether it is as big as Oklahoma City or in this case as small as Paoli, there are always natives remembered for going above and beyond the rest.
-
Delta to stuff bus for soldiers
As Memorial Day weekend is set to offer yet another chance to celebrate in the names of individuals who have sacrificed so much for America, Delta Public Transit has plans to help those whose service is either current or much more recent.
-
Swinging summer
-
Splash time for pool project
Hoping to make a big splash while thinking outside the box are a number of officials involved in the planning for an outdoor swimming pool facility in Pauls Valley.
-
End of School Honors
-
PVGH program more familiar patient care
While not all of the wounds have healed since the most difficult changes to Pauls Valley General Hospital via a control shift over to the St. Anthony Health System took place, some of the brighter days have already come from a new care position started on March 5.
-
Sides drawn in shooting case
A shooting earlier this week has one Pauls Valley man awaiting criminal charges for what some witnesses described as action done to protect others.
-
Disposal site protest now official
Now it’s wait and see time for a bunch of Pauls Valley area landowners who have completed a petition opposing a proposed oil field waste disposal site.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
